WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Dr. Nashwan Ahmed Al-Yamoor, Dr. Aws Nezar Thanoon Al-Dabagh, Dr. Khalid Abdulkader Hamed Al-Dabbagh

ABSTRACT

Background: Epigastric pain, which is usually described as discomfort or burning in the upper part of the abdomen. It may not always occur after a meal, but it can sometimes occur during fasting and be improved by meal. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy is a simple, safe treatment with great diagnostic and occasionally therapeutic utility. Objectives: To evaluate the range of endoscopic findings in patients with epigastric pain to guide clinical treatment strategies. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study. The study included 100 patients with epigastric pain lasting more than two weeks who signed a consent form for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The study excluded patients with prior upper gastrointestinal surgery, known gastrointestinal malignancy or severe comorbidities prevent performing endoscopy. The questionnaire was composed from four parts. The first part is for sociodemographic information including patients’ ages, genders, educational levels, residence, family history of gastric problems, unusual caffeine consumption, smoking state and alcohol intake. The second part for patients’ anthropometric measures. The third part for patients’ drugs used. The fourth part for patients’ endoscopic findings. Results: Of the 100 patients, a normal mucosa was observed in 18%, gastritis in 46%, peptic ulcer disease in 22%, erosive esophagitis in 8%, and other lesions (varices, masses) in 6%. Gastritis remains the most common endoscopic finding in patients with epigastric pain. Upper endoscopy is essential for accurate diagnosis and management. Conclusions: Upper endoscopy in patients with epigastric pain reveals a spectrum of findings, with gastritis and peptic ulcer disease being predominant. Routine biopsies and H. pylori testing are recommended to guide management.